Disposable absorbent article silhouettes and silhouette arrays

ABSTRACT

Absorbent articles of the present disclosure may have Relaxed Product Waist Widths, Relaxed Product Hip Widths, and Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouettes as disclosed herein. And, arrays of the present disclosure may have Array Average Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouettes and Array Average Product Hip-to-Waist-to-Weight Ratio as disclosed herein.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit, under 35 USC 119(e), to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/251,921 filed on Nov. 6, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to disposable absorbent articles and arrays of disposable absorbent articles which are designed to fit different body sizes, shapes and types, and as such are sized to fit a broad range of consumers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As weight increases, both the Hip Circumference measurement and Waist Circumference measurement increase. However the Waist Circumference and Hip Circumference increase at different rates, depending on the age and weight of the consumer. For infants and young adults, less than about 18 years old and less than about 50 kg in weight, on average their Hip Circumferences increase at a faster rate than their Waist Circumferences. For adult consumers, greater than about 18 years old and greater than about 50 kg in weight, on average their Waist Circumferences increase at a faster rate than their Hip Circumferences. The Hip Circumference measurement, due to the relationship to the prominent point of the buttocks, generally establishes the primary anchoring point of the absorbent article as it often represents the maximum circumference around the body. This is especially true for consumers who have a more cylindrical body shape or a more apple-like body shape. In alternative embodiments, the Waist Circumference measurement can be the primary anchoring point of the absorbent article as it can represent the minimum circumference around the body especially for consumers who have a more hourglass body shape or a more pear-like body shape. This is a function of fit at the minimum circumference, which means the product circumference and as a result force at the waist would have to increase to slide or sag due to the increased body dimension at the hip. For products comprising one uniform elastic material or a series of uniformly strained strands of material, the hip may be the highest force region in the waist-encircling portion of the article, especially for hour glass or pear shaped body styles. For smaller infants and larger adults, the high force region can extend toward the waist as the Waist Circumference measurement approaches the Hip Circumference measurement. The Hip Circumference and Waist Circumference are illustrated in FIG. 1. The relationship of the Hip Circumference to the Waist Circumference (Hip Circumference-to-Waist Circumference Ratio), as illustrated in FIG. 2 as a function of body weight, and in FIG. 3 as a function of age. This is an important product design parameter to ensure that the shape of the product in the waist region more closely approximates the shape of the body in the waist region. Having an understanding of the relationship between the Hip Circumference and Waist Circumference enables targeting of elastic forces based on the body shape to enable improved fit, comfort and gasketing. Elastic forces that are too high as well as elastic forces that are too low can both have a negative impact on fit, performance and comfort. High force leads to fit that is too tight and uncomfortable due to skin marking and low forces lead to loose fit, sagging and potential leakage due to poor gasketing.

The Hip Width and Waist Width are illustrated in FIG. 4. The correlation between the Hip Circumference and Hip Width is shown in FIG. 5, and the correlation between Waist Circumference and Waist Width is shown in FIG. 6. The Body Hip-to-Waist Silhouette, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7 correlates with the Hip Circumference-to-Waist Circumference Ratio as the values of both increase as a function of weight for infants and young adults, less than about 50 kg in weight, and decrease as a function of weight for adults greater than about 50 kg in weight. This is shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 7.

A key benefit of having the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette closer to that of the Body Hip-to-Waist Silhouette and designed to change accordingly with body weight is that the product itself more closely matches the shape of the body. This results in the product being deformed to a significantly lesser degree during application than one that is generically designed to generically fit a bigger range as illustrated by the current marketed products. It also results in a product fit, which is more tailored to the body shape, providing more effective gasketing and more targeted force and pressure distribution between the hip and waist. In fact, many of the current marketed product arrays do not provide adequate fit, gasketing, comfort and discretion across the entire range. Additionally, product designs, which mimic the general shape of the body convey to consumers a better, more tailored fit as the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouettes are more similar to consumers' Body Hip-to-Waist Silhouettes. The designs enabled by the present disclosure are more targeted by design and therefore provide a greater level of fit, gasketing, comfort and discretion.

Absorbent articles of the present disclosure may be used to absorb and contain liquid and other discharges from the human body to prevent the body and clothing from becoming soiled.

Absorbent articles come in a variety of designs, each typically available in multiple sizes, including 2, 3 and 4 size arrays. The size of articles of the prior art typically affects, for example, the size of the waist opening, the size of the openings around the thighs, and the length or “pitch” of the article. The prior art articles are typically sized and sold by weight or waist circumference dimension.

Desirably, an absorbent article should be designed and sized to maintain contact with and conform as closely as possible to a wearer's body. Such a body-conforming design may increase the effectiveness of the absorbent article by reducing the possibility that urine, or the like, will spread or travel along the wearer's body and leak out of rather than be absorbed into the absorbent article. However, current absorbent articles on the market do not adequately address body shape or product shape and therefore do not fit a broad range of users adequately or provide the desired level of close fit. Typically packages of absorbent articles are labeled with a recommended wearer weight or waist circumference range that the packaged article is intended to fit. As a result, the weight or waist circumference are often the only criteria used to identify the size of an article. The waist size does not in itself adequately describe the body shape of the individual and therefore does not help define the hip or thigh circumference nor the pitch that may be needed to provide the proper fit, comfort, coverage and gasketing of the article. This is the case even though other characteristics and anthropometric attributes of potential wearers (for example, age, height, weight, thigh circumference, and rise) may vary widely within the recommended weight or waist circumference range, and may result in an ill-fitting article even though a wearer's weight or waist circumference falls within that range. There is a need for absorbent articles that conform well to various wearers' body shapes and sizes. While there is a wide range of body shapes and sizes among consumers, available products do not reflect this wide range; rather, absorbent articles available today within a given product array tend to be scaled versions of each other, and do not even follow the natural trend of body shape and dimensional changes across the range of consumers, i.e. smaller to larger consumers as well as consumers of varying shape.

As consumers gain in body weight, they exhibit different ratios of body anthropometrics than smaller consumers, i.e., all body dimensions do not simply scale-up as consumers get larger. In addition, consumers across the range of weight may also have very different body shapes. There is a lack of recognition and understanding of this issue by current absorbent article manufacturers and as such consumers' needs are not being adequately met. Therefore, there is a need to develop absorbent articles for a wide variety of body shapes and sizes in order to provide an improved level of fit and contact between the body and the absorbent article to reduce the occurrence leakage and improve the overall fit, comfort, coverage and discretion of the article. There is a clear need for absorbent articles which are designed for a variety of wearers based on their weight and body shape. There is also a need to communicate to wearers the benefits of such customized absorbent articles in an easy-to-understand.

These are all objects of the present disclosure; embodiments of the present disclosure may combine various objects mentioned. A particular embodiment may, but need not, embody every object as described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows Hip Circumference and Waist Circumference against a body shape.

FIG. 2 is a chart which shows how the average ratio of Hip Circumference-to-Waist Circumference Ratio changes as body weight increases.

FIG. 3 is a chart which shows how the average ratio of Hip Circumference-to-Waist Circumference changes as age increases.

FIG. 4 shows Waist Width and Hip Width against a body shape.

FIG. 5 is a chart which shows how the Hip Width and Hip Circumference correlate.

FIG. 6 is a chart which shows how the Waist Width and Waist Circumference correlate.

FIG. 7 is a chart which shows how the average Body Hip-to-Waist Silhouette changes as weight increases.

FIG. 8 shows a pant product in its laid out, relaxed, and unfolded state.

FIG. 9 is a chart which shows examples of existing product arrays, and how their Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouettes compare to the Body Hip-to-Waist Silhouettes of the weight of the consumers each product is targeted to fit.

FIG. 10 is a chart which shows examples of existing product arrays, and how their Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouettes compare to the Body Hip-to-Waist Silhouettes of the weight of the consumers each product is targeted to fit.

FIG. 11 is a chart which shows examples of inventive product arrays, and how their Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouettes compare to the Body Hip-to-Waist Silhouettes of the weight of the consumers each product is targeted to fit.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a pant diaper with a continuous belt in the front and back waist regions.

FIG. 13 is a partially cut away plan view of a pant diaper with a pair of flaps, wherein the wearer-facing interior of the diaper faces the viewer.

FIG. 14 is a partially cut away plan view a pant diaper with front and rear flaps, wherein the garment-facing exterior of the diaper faces the viewer.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view the pant diaper shown in FIG. 12 wherein belts connect opposing waist regions.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view the pant diaper shown in FIG. 13 wherein flaps connect opposing waist regions.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view the pant diaper shown in FIG. 14 wherein side seams connect the flaps and opposing waist regions.

FIG. 18 is a schematic cross section view taken along line 18-18 in FIG. 13 of an example of a folded outer leg cuff suitable in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 is a schematic cross section view of a back belt-like flap suitable in one embodiment of the invention, taken along line 19-19 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 20 shows Bar C (304) and Bar O (305) of the Sample Holder Apparatus

FIG. 21 shows a flat, unfolded pant.

FIG. 22 shows a pant in the testing apparatus.

FIG. 23 illustrates an example package of a plurality of the absorbent articles of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

“Pull-on garment” or “pant” means articles of wear which have a defined waist opening and a pair of leg openings and which are pulled onto the body of the wearer by inserting the legs into the leg openings and pulling the article up over the waist.

“Disposable” means garments, which are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored or reused as a garment (i.e., they are intended to be discarded after a single use and to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner). The pull-on garment may be “absorbent” such that it absorbs and contains the various exudates discharged from the body.

“Closed form” means opposing waist regions are joined to form a continuous waist opening and leg openings. See FIGS. 15-17.

“Array” means a display of packages comprising disposable articles of different sizes having like article constructions (e.g., same elastomeric materials [compositionally and/or structurally] in the flaps, graphic elements) said packages having the same brand and/or sub-brand, and said packages oriented in proximity to each other in a given area of a retail store. An array is marketed as a line-up of products normally having like packaging elements (e.g., packaging material type, film, paper, dominant color, design theme, etc.) that convey to consumers that the different individual packages are part of a larger line-up. Arrays often have the same brand, for example, “Depend,” and same sub-brand, for example, “for Women Underwear.” A different array may have the brand “Depend” and the sub-brand “Silhouette For Women.” The differences between the “for Women Underwear” array and the “Silhouette For Women” arrays include different elastomeric materials in the side flaps, where “for Women Underwear” comprises strands as the elastomeric material and “Silhouette For Women” comprises a film elastomeric material.” Furthermore, the packaging is distinctly different in that “for Women Underwear” is packaged in a predominately green, film bag and “Silhouette For Women” is packaged in a predominately maroon box.

Further regarding “Arrays,” as another example of two separate “arrays” having the same brand, “Certainty,” one line-up has the sub-brand “Women's Underwear.” A different array may have the same brand “Certainty” and the sub-brand “Smooth Shape Briefs for Women.” The differences between the “Women's Underwear” array and the “Smooth Shape Briefs for Women” arrays include different elastomeric materials in the side flaps, where “Women's Underwear” comprises strands as the elastomeric material and “Smooth Shape Briefs for Women” comprises a film elastomeric material.” Furthermore, the packaging is distinctly different in that “Women's Underwear” is packaged in a predominately blue, film bag and “Smooth Shape Briefs for Women” is packaged in a predominately maroon box.

Arrays also often have the same trademarks, including trademarks of the brand, sub-brand, and/or features and/or benefits across the line-up.

“On-line Array” means an “Array” distributed by a common on-line source.

“Hip Circumference” means the circumference of the body at the level of the maximum posterior protuberance of buttocks. See FIG. 1.

“Hip Width” means the horizontal distance at the front of the body at the hips, where the hips are defined at the same level as the maximum prominent point of the buttocks as seen from the side. See FIG. 3.

“Waist Circumference” means the horizontal circumference of the waist at the level of the center of the navel (omphalion). See FIG. 1.

“Waist Width” means the width of the body measured horizontally in the front of the body at the omphalion (center of navel). See FIG. 3.

“Hip Circumference-to-Waist Circumference Ratio” means the Hip Circumference (mm) divided by the Waist Circumference (mm). See FIG. 1.

“Body Hip-to-Waist Silhouette” means the Hip Width (mm) divided by the Waist Width (mm). See FIG. 3.

“Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette” means Relaxed Product Hip Width (301) (mm) divided by the Relaxed Product Waist Width (302) (mm). See FIG. 8. The Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette may be from about 0.9 to 1.4, from 1 to 1.3, or from 1.1 to 1.2.

“Array Average Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette” means the average Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of each size offered in a product array. For example, the Depend Underwear for Women (Maximum Absorbency) is marketed and sold in an array of 3 sizes: Small/Medium; Large and Extra Large. The Array Average Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette is the average of: The Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette for size Small/Medium; the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette for size Large; and the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette for size Extra Large. Table 1 shows examples of the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette for some currently marketed product arrays.

“Relaxed Product Length” means the longitudinal distance between the longitudinally distal most point in the crotch region and the longitudinally distal most point along the front waist edge. The longitudinal distance is measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the product. Refer to FIG. 8. Relaxed Product Length may be from about 180 mm to 490 mm, from about 190 mm to 300 mm, or from about 200 mm to about 260 mm.

“Relaxed Product Hip Width” means the lateral distance from the laterally distal most point of the left side edge of the product at the upper edge of the left leg opening to the laterally distal most point of the right side edge of the product at the upper edge of the right leg opening. Refer to FIG. 8. The lateral distance is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the product. Relaxed Product Hip Width may be from about 150 mm to 440 mm, from about 160 mm to 330 mm, or from about 180 mm to about 260 mm.

“Relaxed Product Waist Width” means the lateral distance from the distal most point at the right side of the front waist edge to the distal most point at the left side of the front waist edge. The lateral distance is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the product. Refer to FIG. 8. Relaxed Product Waist Width may be from about 140 mm to 360 mm, from about 150 mm to 270 mm, or from about 170 mm to about 270 mm.

“Relaxed Product Side Length” means the linear distance from the point of intersection between the waist edge and the side edge of the product to the point of intersection between the top of the leg opening and the same side edge of the product. The relaxed product side length measurement is the average of the measurements from the left and right sides of the product. Refer to FIG. 8.

“Target Weight Range” means the weight range as defined on each product package. For example, the Pampers Easy Ups size 2T-3T package indicates a weight of 7 kg-15 kg.

“Average Targeted Weight” means the average of the Target Weight Range. For example, the Pampers Easy Ups size 2T-3T has a Target Weight Range (as defined on its package) of 7 kg-15 kg. The Average Targeted Weight for this product is 11 kg.

“Hip-to-Waist-to-Weight Ratio” means the ratio of Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette to Average Targeted Weight for successive products in an array. It is calculated by taking the absolute value of the difference between successive Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouettes divided by the difference between those same products Average Targeted Weight. The units are mm/mm/kg. For example, an array of three packages will have two Hip-to-Waist-to-Weight Ratios. One Hip-to-Waist-to-Weight Ratio is calculated between the first and second packages, and one Hip-to-Waist-to-Weight Ratio is calculated between the second and third packages. Table 1 shows examples of the Hip-to-Waist-to-Weight Ratio for some currently marketed product arrays.

“Array Average Product Hip-to-Waist-to-Weight Ratio” means the average of all Hip-to-Waist-to-Weight Ratio's within an array of at least three packages. For example, the Pampers Easy Ups & Pampers Under Jams is marketed and sold in an array of 5 sizes: 2T-3T; 3T-4T; 4T-5T; Small/Medium; and Large/Extra Large. This array has four Hip-to-Waist-to-Weight Ratios. The Array Average Product Hip-to-Waist-to-Weight Ratio is the average of: The Hip-to-Waist-to-Weight Ratio between sizes 2T-3T and 3T-4T; the Hip-to-Waist-to-Weight Ratio between sizes 3T-4T and 4T-5T; the Hip-to-Waist-to-Weight Ratio between sizes 4T-5T and Small/Medium; and the Hip-to-Waist-to-Weight Ratio between sizes Small/Medium and Large/Extra Large.

“Product Length-to-Center Chassis Length Delta” means the difference between the longitudinal product length and the longitudinal center chassis length. The Product Length-to-Center Chassis Length Delta may be greater than zero, may be from about 10 mm to 200 mm, from about 25 mm to 100 mm, or from about 50 mm to about 75 mm.

“Product Length-to-Center Chassis Length Ratio” means the longitudinal product length divided by the longitudinal center chassis length. The Product Length-to-Center Chassis Length Ratio may be from about 1.05 to 1.6, from about 1.10 to 1.3, or from about 1.15 to 1.25.

“Back Side Panel Longitudinal Length” means the longitudinal length of the back side panel 38. Refer to FIG. 12.

One region where the shape of the body changes as weight gets higher is in the Body Hip-to-Waist Silhouette. The Body Hip-to-Waist Silhouette gets larger on average for infants and young adults, weighing less than about 50 kg and being less than about 18 years old. And the Body Hip-to-Waist Silhouette gets smaller on average for adults weighing more than about 50 kg and older than about 18 years old. FIGS. 2, 3 and 7 illustrate how both the Hip Circumference-to-Waist Circumference Ratio and the Body Hip-to-Waist Silhouette change as weight and age increase.

It may be desirable to link the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette to that of the targeted consumers Body Hip-to-Waist Silhouette in order to achieve a better fitting, better conforming, better gasketing product. This may increase the wearing comfort for each consumer while reducing leakage. Additionally, a product array where the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of each subsequently larger size follows the same general trend as the Body Hip-to-Waist Silhouette for each subsequently larger size may also deliver a better fitting, better conforming article to each consumer regardless of their respective weight.

Table 1 details some of today's marketed product arrays (“comparative example arrays” or “existing product arrays”). FIGS. 9 and 10 show how the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouettes of these arrays compare to the consumers' Body Hip-to-Waist Silhouettes. It can be seen that for these comparative example arrays of three or more sizes, their Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouettes not only fail to match those of their target consumers, but it can also be seen that the trend from size to size for the existing product arrays is that the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouettes do not match the trend of the Body Hip-to-Waist Silhouettes of the consumers. The result of this mismatch is that the products provide an inferior level of fit, comfort, coverage and gasketing across much of the weight range than products that are designed in line with the anthropometric measures across the same weight range. Each of the comparative example arrays have a Product Length-to-Center Chassis Length Delta of zero and a Product Length-to-Center Chassis Length Ratio of 1.

TABLE 1 Examples of Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouettes for Existing Product Arrays Array Relaxed Relaxed Product Hip-to- Average Minimum Maximum Average Product Product Relaxed Hip-to- Waist-to- Product Hip- Weight Weight Targeted Waist Hip Product Waist Weight to-Waist Target Target Weight Width Width Length Silhouette Ratio Silhouette (kg) (kg) (kg) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm/mm) (mm/mm/kg) (mm/mm) Pampers Easy Ups & Pampers Under Jams size 2T-3T 7 15 11.0 143 182 200 1.274 n/a 1.299 size 3T-4T 14 18 15.9 155 195 203 1.259 0.003 size 4T-5T 17 30 23.5 163 197 209 1.211 0.006 size S/M 17 29 23.0 157 222 228 1.415 0.409 size L/LX 26 39 32.5 180 241 241 1.334 0.009 Huggies Pull Ups & Huggies Good Nites Pull Ups size 2T-3T 8 15 11.5 153 185 191 1.213 n/a 1.290 size 3T-4T 15 18 16.5 136 202 183 1.483 0.054 size 4T-5T 17 23 20.0 159 203 207 1.279 0.058 size S/M 17 29 23.0 214 262 234 1.223 0.019 size L/LX 27 57 42.0 229 287 248 1.254 0.002 Target Up and Up size 2T-3T 8 15 11.8 154 182 190 1.181 n/a 1.234 size 3T-4T 15 18 16.3 157 191 189 1.217 0.008 size 4T-5T 17 23 20.0 170 210 207 1.233 0.004 size S/M 17 29 23.4 179 228 230 1.275 0.012 size L/LX 27 54 40.8 210 265 254 1.262 0.001 Parents Choice size 2T-3T 8 15 11.5 148 185 187 1.250 n/a 1.138 size 3T-4T 15 18 16.5 157 196 194 1.243 0.001 size 4T-5T 12 17 14.5 194 226 211 1.166 0.039 size S/M 20 29 24.5 269 267 256 0.993 0.017 size L/LX 27 57 42.0 252 262 258 1.039 0.003 Meijer Kids size 2T-3T 8 15 11.5 141 189 187 1.339 n/a 1.251 size 3T-4T 15 18 16.5 150 196 187 1.303 0.007 size 4T-5T 17 23 20.0 182 208 202 1.141 0.046 size S/M 17 29 23.0 201 246 232 1.228 0.029 size L/LX 27 57 42.0 219 271 252 1.241 0.001 Kroger Comforts & Kroger Comforts Nite Pants size 2T-3T 8 15 11.5 161 186 189 1.158 n/a 1.197 size 3T-4T 15 18 16.5 150 191 193 1.275 0.023 size 4T-5T 17 23 20.0 182 219 207 1.207 0.019 size S/M 17 29 23.0 216 249 236 1.153 0.018 size L/LX 27 57 42.0 235 281 249 1.195 0.002

Table 2 below illustrates inventive arrays of 2, 3, and 4 packages, whose Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouettes match the trends of the consumers that they are targeted to fit and thereby provide better fit & comfort while reducing the chance of leakage. These inventive arrays are provided simply as non-limiting examples. Other inventive arrays are possible within the scope of this disclosure. These inventive arrays are also shown in FIG. 11.

TABLE 2 Examples of Inventive Product Arrays Array Relaxed Relaxed Product Hip-to- Average Min Max Average Product Product Relaxed Hip-to- Waist-to- Product Hip- Targeted Targeted Targeted Waist Hip Product Waist Weight to-Waist Weight Weight Weight Width Width Length Silhouette Ratio Silhouette (kg) (kg) (kg) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm/mm) (mm/mm/kg) (mm/mm) 1^(st) Inventive Array (2 package array) 1^(st) Package in 4 7 6 140 150 190 1.071 n/a 1.111 Array 2^(nd) Package in 8 19 14 165 190 220 1.152 0.010 Array 2^(nd) Inventive Array (3 package array) 1^(st) Package in 15 18 17 170 200 190 1.176 n/a Array 2^(nd) Package in 17 44 31 175 220 220 1.257 0.006 1.224 Array 3^(rd) Package in 37 67 52 210 260 240 1.238 0.001 Array 3^(rd) Inventive Array (4 package array) 1^(st) Package in 17 30 24 165 210 190 1.273 n/a Array 2^(nd) Package in 27 57 42 200 270 220 1.350 0.004 1.302 Array 3^(rd) Package in 40 80 60 225 300 240 1.333 0.001 Array 4^(th) Package in 70 100 85 260 325 260 1.250 0.003 Array

Beyond the examples above, it may be desirable and within the scope of the present disclosure to have a first absorbent article in a first package, the first absorbent article may have a Relaxed Product Waist Width of from about 70 mm to about 210 mm, or from about 130 mm to about 180 mm, a Relaxed Product Hip Width of from about 140 mm to about 230 mm, or from about 150 mm to about 210 mm, a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of from about 1.0 to about 2.2, or from about 1.05 to about 1.8. Arrays of the present disclosure may comprise a second absorbent article in a second package, the second absorbent article may have a Relaxed Product Waist Width of from about 80 mm to about 270 mm, or from about 150 mm to about 230 mm, a Relaxed Product Hip Width of from about 170 mm to about 310 mm, or from about 180 mm to about 280 mm, a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of from about 1.0 to about 2.2, or from about 1.05 to about 1.8. Arrays of the present disclosure may comprise a third absorbent article in a third package, the third absorbent article may have a Relaxed Product Waist Width of from about 150 mm to about 330 mm, or from about 160 mm to about 320 mm, a Relaxed Product Hip Width of from about 230 mm to about 380 mm, or from about 250 mm to about 360 mm, a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of from about 1.0 to about 2.2, or from about 1.05 to about 1.8. Arrays of the present disclosure may comprise a fourth absorbent article in a fourth package, the fourth absorbent article may have a Relaxed Product Waist Width of from about 170 mm to about 400 mm, or from about 180 mm to about 370 mm, a Relaxed Product Hip Width of from about 250 mm to about 380 mm, or from about 260 mm to about 370 mm, a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of from about 1.0 to about 2.2, or from about 1.05 to about 1.8. Arrays of the present disclosure may comprise a fifth absorbent article in a fifth package, the fifth absorbent article may have a Relaxed Product Waist Width of from about 180 mm to about 400 mm, or from about 190 mm to about 370 mm, a Relaxed Product Hip Width of from about 250 mm to about 400 mm, or from about 260 mm to about 370 mm, a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of from about 1.0 to about 2.2, or from about 1.05 to about 1.8. Arrays of the present disclosure may comprise a sixth absorbent article in a sixth package, the sixth absorbent article may have a Relaxed Product Waist Width of from about 200 mm to about 400 mm, or from about 210 mm to about 370 mm, a Relaxed Product Hip Width of from about 250 mm to about 400 mm, or from about 270 mm to about 370 mm, a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of from about 1.0 to about 2.2, or from about 1.05 to about 1.8. Note, each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth absorbent articles of this paragraph are not identical dimensionally.

Further, an Array Average Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of the first and second absorbent articles of the first and second packages may be from about 0.90 to about 1.15, or from about 0.95 to about 1.08. An Array Average Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of the first, second, and third absorbent articles of the first, second, and third packages may be from about 0.90 to about 1.6, or from about 0.95 to about 1.10. An Array Average Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of the first, second, third, and fourth absorbent articles of the first, second, third, and fourth packages may be from about 0.90 to about 1.70, or from about 0.95 to about 1.55. An Array Average Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth absorbent articles of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth packages may be from about 0.90 to about 1.03, or from about 0.95 to about 1.01. An Array Average Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth absorbent articles of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth packages may be from about 0.90 to about 1.3, or from about 0.95 to about 1.25.

Further, an Array Average Product Hip-to-Waist-to-Weight Ratio between the first and second absorbent articles of the first and second packages may be from about 0.0 to about 0.015, or from about 0.0 to about 0.010. An Array Average Product Hip-to-Waist-to-Weight Ratio between the first, second, and third absorbent articles of the first, second, and third packages may be from about 0.0 to about 0.013, or from about 0.0 to about 0.010. An Array Average Product Hip-to-Waist-to-Weight Ratio between the first, second, third, and fourth absorbent articles of the first, second, third, and fourth packages may be from about 0.0 to about 0.015, or from about 0.0 to about 0.006. An Array Average Product Hip-to-Waist-to-Weight Ratio between the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth absorbent articles of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth packages may be from about 0.0 to about 0.015, or from about 0.0 to about 0.010. An Array Average Product Hip-to-Waist-to-Weight Ratio between the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth absorbent articles of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth packages may be from about 0.0 to about 0.070, or from about 0.0 to about 0.060.

Absorbent Article

The absorbent articles of the present disclosure are generally designed and configured to manage bodily exudates such as urine, menses, feces or other vaginal discharges.

In one embodiment, an absorbent article may comprise a chassis (also referred to as a “center chassis”) comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed at least partially between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent chassis may comprise a waistband, leg cuffs and or elastic strands. In various embodiments, referring to FIG. 12, an example absorbent article 10 is shown in its flat uncontracted state prior to joining the fastening components 53 a and b.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 12, one end portion of the absorbent article 10 may be configured as a front waist region 36 and the longitudinally opposing end portion may be configured as a back waist region 38. An intermediate portion of the absorbent article 10 extending longitudinally between the front waist region 36 and the back waist region 38 may be configured as a crotch region 37. In one embodiment, although not illustrated as such, the length of each of the front waist region 36, the back waist region 38 and the crotch region 37 may be about ⅓ of the length of the absorbent article 10, for example. In other embodiments, the length of each of the front waist region 36, the back waist region 38, and the crotch region 37 may have other dimensions. In various embodiments, the absorbent article 10 may have a laterally extending front waist end edge 436 in the front waist region 36 and a longitudinally opposing and laterally extending back waist end edge 438 in the back waist region 38.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 12, a chassis 100 of the absorbent article 10 may comprise a first longitudinally extending side edge 137 a and a laterally opposing and second longitudinally extending side edge 137 b. Both of the side edges 137 may extend longitudinally between the chassis end edges 136 and 138. The chassis 100 may form a portion of the laterally extending front waist end edge 436 in the front waist region 36 and a portion of the longitudinally opposing and laterally extending back waist end edge 438 in the back waist region 38. Furthermore, the chassis 100 may comprise an interior surface 102, an exterior surface 104, a longitudinal axis 42, and a lateral axis 44. The longitudinal axis 42 may extend through a midpoint of the front waist end edge 436 and through a midpoint of the back waist end edge 438, while the lateral axis 44 may extend through a midpoint of the first side edge 137 a and through a midpoint of the second side edge 137 b.

In various embodiments, a portion of or the whole absorbent article 10 may be made to be laterally extensible. The extensibility of the absorbent article 10 may be desirable in order to allow the absorbent article 10 to conform to a body of a wearer during movement by the wearer. The extensibility may also be desirable, for example, in order to allow the caregiver to extend the front waist region 36, the back waist region 38, the crotch region 37, and/or the chassis 100 to provide additional body coverage for wearers of differing size, i.e., to tailor the absorbent article 10 to the individual wearer. Such extension may provide the absorbent article 10 with a generally hourglass shape, so long as the crotch region 37 is extended to a relatively lesser degree than the waist regions 36 and/or 38. This extension may also impart a tailored appearance to the absorbent article 10 during use.

Any or all portions of the absorbent article may comprise a bacteriophage composition as described in U.S. Ser. No. 61/931,229, titled DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLES COMPRISING BACTERIOPHAGES AND RELATED METHODS, and filed on Jan. 24, 2014.

Top Sheet

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 12 and 19, the absorbent article 10 may comprise a topsheet 81. The topsheet 81 may be compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin and may be elastically stretchable in one or more directions. Further, the topsheet 81 may be liquid pervious, permitting liquids (e.g., menses, urine, and/or runny feces) to penetrate through its thickness. Various topsheets may also comprise a hydrophilic material, for example, which is configured to draw bodily fluids into an absorbent core of the chassis 100 when these fluids are expelled from the body. A suitable topsheet 81 may be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as woven and nonwoven materials, apertured or hydroformed thermoplastic films, apertured nonwovens, porous foams, reticulated foams, reticulated thermoplastic films, and/or thermoplastic scrims, for example. Suitable apertured films may comprise those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,929,135, 4,324,246, 4,342,314, 4,463,045, 5,006,394, 5,628,097, 5,916,661, 6,545,197, and 6,107,539.

Apertured film or nonwoven topsheets typically may be pervious to bodily exudates, yet non-absorbent, and have a reduced tendency to allow fluids to pass back through and rewet the wearer's skin. Suitable woven and nonwoven materials may comprise natural fibers, such as, for example, wood or cotton fibers, synthetic fibers, such as, for example, polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers, or combinations thereof. If the topsheet 81 comprises fibers, the fibers may be spunbond, carded, wet-laid, meltblown, hydroentangled, or otherwise processed, for example, as is generally known in the art.

The topsheet may comprise a skin care lotion. Examples of suitable lotions include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,607,760; 5,609,587; 5,635,191; 5,643,588; and 5,968,025, and as described in U.S. Application No. 61/391,353.

In one embodiment, the topsheet may comprise graphics (e.g., 116 in FIG. 15) such that depth perception is created as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,163,528.

Backsheet

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, for example, the absorbent article 10 may comprise a backsheet 83. The backsheet 83 may be impervious, or at least partially impervious, to fluids or body exudates (e.g., menses, urine, and/or runny feces) and may be manufactured from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impervious materials may also be used. The backsheet 83 may prevent the body exudates or fluids absorbed and contained in an absorbent core of the absorbent article 10 from wetting articles which contact the absorbent article 10, such as bedsheets, pajamas, clothes, and/or undergarments. The backsheet 83 may comprise a woven or nonwoven material, polymeric films such as thermoplastic films of polyethylene or polypropylene, and/or a multi-layer or composite materials comprising a film and a nonwoven material (e.g., having an inner film layer and an outer nonwoven layer). A suitable backsheet may comprise a polyethylene film having a thickness of from about 0.012 mm (0.5 mils) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mils). Examples of polyethylene films are manufactured by Clopay Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, under the designation BR-120 and BR-121, and by Tredegar Film Products of Terre Haute, Ind., under the designation XP-39385.

One suitable material for the backsheet can be a liquid impervious thermoplastic film having a thickness of from about 0.012 mm (0.50 mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mils), for example including polyethylene or polypropylene. Typically, the backsheet can have a basis weight of from about 5 g/m² to about 35 g/m². The backsheet can be typically positioned adjacent the outer-facing surface of the absorbent core and can be joined thereto. For example, the backsheet may be secured to the absorbent core by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an array of separate lines, spirals, or spots of adhesive. Illustrative, but non-limiting adhesives, include adhesives manufactured by H. B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minn., U.S.A., and marketed as HL-1358J. An example of a suitable attachment device including an open pattern network of filaments of adhesive is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986. Another suitable attachment device including several lines of adhesive filaments swirled into a spiral pattern is illustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,911,173; 4,785,996; and 4,842,666. Alternatively, the attachment device may include heat bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamic mechanical bonds, or any other suitable attachment device or combinations of these attachment devices.

In one embodiment, the backsheet 83 may be embossed and/or matte-finished to provide a more cloth-like appearance. Further, the backsheet 83 may permit vapors to escape from the absorbent core of the absorbent article 10 (i.e., the backsheet 83 is breathable) while still preventing, or at least inhibiting, fluids or body exudates from passing through the backsheet 83. In one embodiment, the size of the backsheet 83 may be dictated by the size of the absorbent article 10 and the design or configuration of the absorbent article 10 to be formed, for example.

Absorbent Core

In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the absorbent article 10 may comprise an absorbent core (also referred to as an “absorbent member” or “absorbent assembly” or “absorbent structure” or “absorbent composite”) 200 that is disposed between the topsheet 81 and the backsheet 83. The absorbent core 200 may comprise a laterally extending front edge 236 in the front waist region 36, a longitudinally opposing and laterally extending back edge 238 in the back waist region 38, a first longitudinally extending side edge 237 a, and a laterally opposing and second longitudinally extending side edge 237 b. Both of the side edges 237 may extend longitudinally between the front edge 236 and the back edge 238. In one embodiment, more than one absorbent core 200 or more than one absorbent core layer may be provided in an absorbent article 10, for example. The absorbent core 200 may be any suitable size or shape that is compatible with the absorbent article 10. Example absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core 200 of the present disclosure that have achieved acceptance and commercial success are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,610,678; 4,673,402; 4,888,231; and 4,834,735.

In one embodiment, suitable absorbent cores may comprise cellulosic airfelt material. For instance, such absorbent cores may comprise less than about 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, or even 1% of the cellulosic airfelt material as determined by weight. Additionally, such an absorbent core may be primarily comprised of an absorbent gelling material in amounts of at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or even about 100% as determined by weight. Furthermore, a portion of the absorbent core may comprise a microfiber glue (if applicable). Such absorbent cores, microfiber glues, and absorbent gelling materials are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,599,335; 5,562,646; 5,669,894; 6,790,798; and 7,521,587 and in U.S. Pat. Publ. No. 2004/0158212.

In one embodiment, the core, including multiple layers making up the core system, may be printed and embossed as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,536,401.

In one embodiment, the core may be separable from the chassis as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,989,006; 7,381,202; 7,175,613; 7,824,386; 7,766,887; and 6,989,005. In such embodiments, the measurements described in this disclosure may be made to the chassis alone or may be made to the chassis in combination with the separable core/absorbent assembly.

In one embodiment, the absorbent article of the present disclosure, and particularly, a portion where the absorbent member is disposed, may have a body fluid absorption rate greater than 3 g/sec according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,649,810. According to U.S. Pat. No. 6,649,810, the expression “the portion (of the absorbent article) where the absorbent member is disposed” is intended to mean the portion occupied by the absorbent member when the absorbent article is flatly unfolded and seen in its plan view.

In one embodiment, the absorbent structure may have an intake factor greater than 3 according to U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,373, wherein the intake factor is defined as the absorbent core permeability divided by the normalized retention capacity (which is defined by the Retention Capacity Test—also according to U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,373).

In one embodiment, the absorbent composite has a body fluid absorption greater than 75 g/100 cm², according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,649,810.

In one embodiment, a target location of the absorbent article may have a wicking value greater than 36%, according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,383,960.

In one embodiment, the absorbent article may have a bending stiffness between 0.05-1.0 gf, according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,796.

In one embodiment, the absorbent article may have a crotch fluid absorption rate greater than 3 g/sec according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,649,810. In one embodiment, a freeze-dried composite of the absorbent composite may have an intake rate of at least about 1.9 cubic centimeters (cc) of liquid/second at 80% composite saturation according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,689,934.

Leg Cuffs

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the chassis 100 of the absorbent article 10 may comprise longitudinally extending and laterally opposing leg cuffs 147 a and 147 b that are disposed on the interior surface of the chassis 100 that faces inwardly toward the wearer and contacts the wearer. The leg cuffs 147 a and 147 b may comprise one or more elastic gathering members disposed at or adjacent the proximal edge of one or both of the leg cuffs 147. In addition, the elastic gathering members of the leg cuff may also comprise one or more elastic strands 146 disposed at or adjacent the distal edge of one or both of the leg cuffs 147. The elasticized leg cuffs 147 may comprise several embodiments for reducing the leakage of body exudates or fluids in the leg regions. The elasticized leg cuffs 147 are sometimes referred to as leg bands, barrier cuffs, elastic cuffs, or gasketing cuffs. Suitable elasticized leg cuffs 147 may comprise those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,860,003, 4,909,803, 4,695,278, 4,795,454, 4,704,115, and 4,909,803, and U.S. Pat. Publ. No. 2009/0312730. The leg cuffs 147 may be formed by folding portions of the chassis 100 laterally inward, i.e., toward the longitudinal axis 42, to form both the respective leg cuffs 147 and the side edges 137 a and b of the chassis 100. In other embodiments, the leg cuffs 147 may be formed by attaching an additional layer or layers to the chassis 100 at or adjacent to each of the respective side edges 137 a and 137 b of the chassis 100. In one embodiment, the chassis 100 may also comprise other elastics disposed adjacent the side edges 137 which may cause the article 10 to form into a “U” shape when allowed to relax thereby pulling the interior surface 102 of the front waist region 36 toward the interior surface 102 of the back waist region 38.

In one embodiment, each leg cuff 147 may comprise a proximal edge 157 a and 157 b. These edges 157 a and 157 b are positioned proximate to the longitudinal axis 42 compared to distal edges 139 a and 139 b. The leg cuffs 147 may overlap the absorbent core 200, i.e., the proximal edges 157 a and 157 b lie laterally inward of the respective side edges 237 a and 237 b of the absorbent core 200. Such an overlapped configuration may be desirable in order to impart a more finished appearance to the absorbent article 10 than that imparted by a non-overlapped configuration. In other embodiments, the leg cuffs 147 may not overlap the absorbent core 200.

In one embodiment, each leg cuff 147 may be attached to the interior surface 102 of the chassis 100 in a leg cuff attachment zone (not shown) adjacent to the front waist end edge 436 and in a longitudinally opposing leg cuff attachment zone (not shown) adjacent to the back waist end edge 438. In one embodiment, between the leg cuff attachment zones, the proximal edge 157 of the leg cuff 147 remains free, i.e., not attached to the interior surface 102 of the chassis 100 or to the absorbent core 200. Also, between the longitudinally opposing leg cuff attachment zones, each leg cuff 147 may comprise one or more (specifically including one, two, three, or four elastic strands per leg cuff 147) longitudinally extensible cuff elastic gathering members 159 that may be disposed at or adjacent to the proximal edge 157 of the leg cuff 147 by any suitable methods. Each of such cuff elastic gathering members 159 may be attached over the leg cuff's entire length or over only a portion of the leg cuff's length. For example, such cuff elastic gathering members 159 may be attached only at or near the leg cuff's longitudinally opposing ends and may be unattached at the middle of the leg cuff's length. Such cuff elastic gathering members 159 may be disposed in the crotch region 37 and may extend into one or both of the front waist region 36 and the back waist region 38. For example, an elastic gathering member 159 may be attached at or adjacent to the proximal edge 157 of each of the leg cuffs 147 and extends into both the front waist region 36 and the back waist region 38.

In various embodiments, each cuff elastic gathering member 159 may be enclosed inside a folded hem for example. In various embodiments, the cuff elastic gathering members 159 may be sandwiched between two layers forming the leg cuff 147, by two layers of the chassis 100, or may be attached on a surface of the chassis 100 or the leg cuff 147 and remain exposed.

In one embodiment, when stretched, the cuff elastic gathering member 159 disposed adjacent to each leg cuff's proximal edge 157 allows the leg cuff proximal edge 157 to extend to the flat uncontracted length of the chassis 100, e.g., the length of the chassis 100. When allowed to relax, the cuff elastic gathering member 159 contracts to pull the front waist region 36 and the back waist region 38 toward each other and, thereby, bend the article 10 into a “U” shape in which the interior of the “U” shape may be formed by the portions of the article 10 that are intended to be placed toward the body of the wearer (i.e., interior surface 102). Because each of the proximal edges 157 remains free between the longitudinally oriented leg cuff attachment zones, the contractive force of the elastic gathering member 159 may lift the proximal edge 157 of the leg cuff 147 away from the interior surface 102 of the chassis 100. This lifting of the proximal edges 157 when the article 10 is in the relaxed condition lifts the leg cuffs 147 into a position to serve as side barriers to prevent, or at least inhibit, leakage of bodily exudates.

Waistband

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 14, the article 10 may comprise an elasticized waistband 112 a and b. The elasticized waistband may provide improved fit and containment and may be configured to elastically expand and contract laterally to dynamically fit a wearer's waist. The elasticized waistband may extend longitudinally outwardly from the waist edge of the absorbent article 10 toward the waist edge of the absorbent core 200. In one embodiment, the absorbent article 10 may have two elasticized waistbands, one positioned in the back waist region 38 and one positioned in the front waist region 36, although other pant embodiments may be constructed with a single elasticized waistband. The elasticized waistband may be constructed in a number of different configurations including those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,515,595 and 5,151,092.

In one embodiment, the elasticized waistbands may comprise materials that have been “prestrained” or “mechanically prestrained” (i.e., subjected to some degree of localized pattern mechanical stretching to permanently elongate the material). The materials may be prestrained using suitable deep embossing techniques. In other embodiments, the materials may be prestrained by directing the material through an incremental mechanical stretching system as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,458. The materials may then be allowed to return to their substantially untensioned condition, thus forming a zero strain stretch material that is extensible, at least up to the point of initial stretching. Examples of zero strain materials are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,075,189, 3,025,199, 4,107,364, 4,209,563, 4,834,741, and 5,151,092.

Flaps

The flaps 189 (a-d) may be discrete from or integral with the chassis 100. A discrete flap is formed as separate element, which is joined to the chassis 100. In some embodiments, this includes a plurality of flaps, e.g. 2 or 4 (often referred to as ear panels or side flaps) being joined to the side edges 137 a and b of the chassis in the front and/or rear waist regions 36 and 38 (see FIGS. 12-17). In other embodiments this may include a front and/or back belt-like flaps (“belts”) being joined across the front and back (or rear) waist regions of the chassis 100, at least across end edges of the chassis 136 and 138 (see FIG. 12). In some embodiments the waistbands 112 can overlap the flaps to create a continuous belt-like structure (see FIG. 14).

The belt-like flaps and may comprise an inner nonwoven layer and an outer nonwoven layer and elastics there between. The inner and outer nonwoven layers may be joined using adhesive or thermoplastic bonds. Various suitable belt-like flap configurations can be found in U.S. Pub. No. 2013-0211363.

An integral flap is a portion, one or more layers, of the chassis that projects laterally outward from the longitudinal edge. The integral flap may be formed by cutting the chassis to include the shape of the flap projection.

While many of the embodiments illustrated in this application having belt-like flaps are pant articles, taped articles may have belt-like flaps disposed in one or both waist regions as well.

The structure of flaps play an important role in the functionality of the absorbent article and are fundamentally different than the elastics used in underwear. As mentioned above, incontinence events, such as SUI and UUI, can result in a high flow rate and/or a full bladder release. The amounts of urine expelled during the incontinence events can vary wildly given the type of urinary incontinence as well as other circumstances such as time since last bathroom visit, amount of fluid intake, day or night, etc. Loadings can range from as low as a few drops of urine to loadings as high as 600 mls. It is not unusual to have single loadings as high as 300, 400 and even 500 mls. These levels of loading present a significant downward force associated with the loading which can be a pound or more. This downward force must be compensated for by the absorbent article chassis in order to minimize sagging, gapping and leakage. In order to sustain the fit of the article even after loading the article comprises elastomeric element(s) 146, including films and/or strands) that are disposed proximate to and along the side seams 280 a and b (see, for example, FIG. 15, where the elastomeric elements 146 terminate proximate to and along the length of the seams 280 a and b) of the article and extend laterally from one side toward the other. These elastomeric element(s) should create a normal force against the body sufficient to anchor the article. The location of the elastomeric element(s), as well as the forces exerted by the elastomeric element(s) can be varied to ensure proper anchoring at the hips and along the body specifically across the front waist region and in the back waist region. One form of anchoring beneficial for sustaining the fit of a loaded article is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,500 Absorbent Articles Providing Sustained Dynamic Fit issued Oct. 25, 1994 to LaVon, et al. It should also be noted that regular underwear with elastic along the waist edge and leg edges would not typically provide sufficient support to sustain the fit of the underwear if a weight of 300-600 grams was applied to the crotch region of the underwear.

Fastening System

The absorbent article may also include a fastening system. When fastened, the fastening system interconnects the front waist region 36 and the rear waist region 38 resulting in a waist circumference that may encircle the wearer during wear of the absorbent article 10. This may be accomplished by flaps 189 a and b in the back waist region interconnecting with flaps 189 c and d in the front waist region or by flaps in the back waist region interconnecting with the chassis 100 in the front waist region. The fastening system may comprises a fastener 53 a and b such as tape tabs, hook and loop fastening components, interlocking fasteners such as tabs & slots, buckles, buttons, snaps, and/or hermaphroditic fastening components, although any other known fastening means are generally acceptable. The fasteners may releasably engage with a landing zone 118, which may be a woven or nonwoven. Some exemplary surface fastening systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,848,594; 4,662,875; 4,846,815; 4,894,060; 4,946,527; 5,151,092; and 5,221,274. An exemplary interlocking fastening system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,432,098. The fastening system may also provide a means for holding the article in a disposal configuration as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,140. The fastening system may also include primary and secondary fastening systems, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,622. The fastening system may be constructed to reduce shifting of overlapped portions or to improve fit as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,242,436; 5,499,978; 5,507,736; and 5,591,152.

Identical or Substantially Identical Chassis

As disclosed in U.S. Pub. No. 2013-0211355, it may be desirable to offer an array of packages for fitting different sized wearers, but comprising identical or substantially identical chassis. For instance, an array may comprise a first package comprising a first size of absorbent articles and a second package may comprise a second size of absorbent articles, where the first and second packages comprise identical or substantially identical chassis as described in U.S. Pub. No. 2013-0211355. More particularly, the first package may comprise a first chassis and the second package may comprise a second chassis, where each of the first and second chassis comprise the same dimensions of one or more of: core width at the lateral centerline, core width at one of the front or rear core end, a distance from a left outer cuff distal edge to a right outer cuff distal edge, a distance from a left inner cuff distal edge to a left outer cuff distal edge, a distance from a left inner cuff proximal edge to a right inner cuff proximal edge, a distance from a left inner cuff proximal edge to a left outer cuff distal edge, a free height of the inner cuff, inner cuff hem fold width, inner cuff elastics length, outer cuff elastics length, core length, and backsheet width.

Further, each of the first and second chassis may comprise identical chemical compositions of one or more of a topsheet, backsheet film, backsheet nonwoven, core super absorbent polymers, core pulp, core nonwoven, core tissue, leg cuff film, leg cuff nonwoven, super absorbent polymer adhesive, core nonwoven adhesive, leg cuff elastic adhesive, and backsheet nonwoven/film adhesive.

And, each of the first and second chassis may comprise the same basis weight of one or more of the topsheet, backsheet film, backsheet nonwoven, core super absorbent polymers, core pulp, leg cuff nonwoven, leg cuff film, super absorbent polymer adhesive, leg cuff adhesive, and backsheet nonwoven/film adhesive.

And, each of the first and second chassis may comprise compositionally identical core super absorbent polymers. The first and second chassis may have identical component cross sectional order and disposition in at least one of the front waist region, back waist region, and crotch region. The inner leg cuffs of the first and second chassis may be composed of the compositionally identical materials.

And, the core adhesives of the first and second chassis may be the same adhesive(s). The first and second chassis may comprise core super absorbent polymers that are in the same chemical class and subclass.

And, each of the first and second chassis may comprise first and second wetness indicators, respectively, and wherein the first and second wetness indicators are compositionally identical.

Further, the inner leg cuffs of the first and second chassis may have identical component cross sectional order and disposition in at least one of the front waist region, back waist region, and crotch region. The distance from the left outer cuff distal edge to a right outer cuff distal edge may the same. The distance from the left inner cuff proximal edge to left outer cuff distal edge may be the same. The distance from the left inner cuff proximal edge to the right inner cuff proximal edge is the same. The lengths of the inner and outer cuffs are the same.

In some embodiments, different size offerings in an array may have identical or substantially identical chassis as the flaps or belts may be used to enable the absorbent article to fit different sized wearers. For example, first and second absorbent articles may have identical chassis (compositionally, dimensionally, cross-sectionally), but the first article may have a different length due to disposition of the belts, such that the first article may be targeted to fit a smaller wearer than the second article. As a second example, first and second absorbent articles may have identical chassis (compositionally, dimensionally, cross-sectionally), but the first article may have a different length and/or width due to the size of the belts, such that the first article may be targeted to fit a smaller wearer than the second article.

In some embodiments, first and second absorbent articles may have identical chassis compositionally, but not dimensionally, and not cross-sectionally. In some embodiments, first and second absorbent articles may have identical chassis dimensionally, but not compositionally, and not cross-sectionally. In some embodiments, first and second absorbent articles may have identical chassis cross-sectionally, but not dimensionally, and not compositionally. In still other embodiments, first and second absorbent articles may have two, but not three of (1) compositionally, (2) dimensionally, and (3) cross-sectionally identical chassis.

Packages

The absorbent articles of the present disclosure may be placed into packages. The packages may comprise polymeric films and/or other materials. Graphics and/or indicia relating to properties of the absorbent articles may be formed on, printed on, positioned on, and/or placed on outer portions of the packages. Each package may comprise a plurality of absorbent articles. The absorbent articles may be packed under compression so as to reduce the size of the packages, while still providing an adequate amount of absorbent articles per package. By packaging the absorbent articles under compression, caregivers can easily handle and store the packages, while also providing distribution savings to manufacturers owing to the size of the packages.

Accordingly, packages of the absorbent articles of the present disclosure may have an In-Bag Stack Height of less than about 100 mm, less than about 95 mm, less than about 90 mm, less than about 85 mm, less than about 85 mm, but greater than about 75 mm, less than about 80 mm, less than about 78 mm, less than about 76 mm, or less than about 74 mm, specifically reciting all 0.1 mm increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby, according to the In-Bag Stack Height Test described herein. Alternatively, packages of the absorbent articles of the present disclosure may have an In-Bag Stack Height of from about 70 mm to about 110 mm, from about 70 mm to about 95 mm, from about 72 mm to about 85 mm, from about 72 mm to about 80 mm, or from about 74 mm to about 78 mm, specifically reciting all 0.1 mm increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby, according to the In-Back Stack Height Test described herein.

FIG. 23 illustrates an example package 1000 comprising a plurality of absorbent articles 1004. The package 1000 defines an interior space 1002 in which the plurality of absorbent articles 1004 are situated. The plurality of absorbent articles 1004 are arranged in one or more stacks 1006.

In-Bag Stack Height Test

The in-bag stack height of a package of absorbent articles is determined as follows:

Equipment

A thickness tester with a flat, rigid horizontal sliding plate is used. The thickness tester is configured so that the horizontal sliding plate moves freely in a vertical direction with the horizontal sliding plate always maintained in a horizontal orientation directly above a flat, rigid horizontal base plate. The thickness tester includes a suitable device for measuring the gap between the horizontal sliding plate and the horizontal base plate to within ±0.5 mm. The horizontal sliding plate and the horizontal base plate are larger than the surface of the absorbent article package that contacts each plate, i.e. each plate extends past the contact surface of the absorbent article package in all directions. The horizontal sliding plate exerts a downward force of 850±1 gram-force (8.34 N) on the absorbent article package, which may be achieved by placing a suitable weight on the center of the non-package-contacting top surface of the horizontal sliding plate so that the total mass of the sliding plate plus added weight is 850±1 grams.

Test Procedure

Absorbent article packages are equilibrated at 23±2° C. and 50±5% relative humidity prior to measurement.

The horizontal sliding plate is raised and an absorbent article package is placed centrally under the horizontal sliding plate in such a way that the absorbent articles within the package are in a horizontal orientation (see FIG. 28). Any handle or other packaging feature on the surfaces of the package that would contact either of the plates is folded flat against the surface of the package so as to minimize their impact on the measurement. The horizontal sliding plate is lowered slowly until it contacts the top surface of the package and then released. The gap between the horizontal plates is measured to within ±0.5 mm ten seconds after releasing the horizontal sliding plate. Five identical packages (same size packages and same absorbent articles counts) are measured and the arithmetic mean is reported as the package width. The “In-Bag Stack Height”=(package width/absorbent article count per stack)×10 is calculated and reported to within ±0.5 mm.

Test Methods

Product Measurement Preparation

All measurements are conducted at 22° C.+/−2° and 50% RH+/−20%.

Purpose

This method is used to prepare pant type products for subsequent dimensional measurement. The method provides a consistent means of opening a product that has been removed from a bag. This method is applicable to all forms of pant products. A constant rate of extension tensile testing machine with computer interface is used. A load cell is chosen so that the load cell capacity ensures accuracy of a 5N load to within 0.1N.

Sample Holder Apparatus

“C” (304) and “O” (305) Bar attachments each with a rod radius of 9.50 mm that extend longer than the length of the longest side seam. Refer to FIG. 20. The bars are mounted horizontally in the tensile tester with their longitudinal axes in the same vertical plane and with upper bar mounted directly above the lower bar.

Equipment Set Up

Calibrate tensile tester equipment according to the instrument manufacturer's recommendations. The initial gauge length is determined by removing 10 sample products from the bag, unfolding the pant products (307) and laying them flat as illustrated in FIG. 21, below and measuring the distance between the sides of the pant at the waist as shown (306). The average of the waist measurement will be used as the initial gauge length for the specific set of specimens. The initial gauge length is the distance from the uppermost edge of the upper bar to the lowermost edge of the lower bar. Apply the whole product (307) to the bars as shown in FIG. 22 while minimizing manipulation of the specimen. Pull Sample to 5N Force then hold for 10 seconds. Return to initial gauge length. Crosshead Speed=254.0 mm/min, Data acquisition rate=50 Hz.

Cycles=1

Remove the specimen from the bars while minimizing manipulation. Lay the specimen flat with the front side facing upward as shown in FIG. 8. Repeat for all 10 specimens

Physical Measurements

Each of the measurements below is to be conducted on 10 separate like specimens and the average of the 10 separate like specimens is considered to be the measurement for that specific specimen set.

Relaxed Product Length (300)

Relaxed Product Length is the longitudinal distance between the longitudinally distal most point in the crotch region and the longitudinally distal most point along the front waist edge. The longitudinal distance is measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the product. Refer to FIG. 8.

Relaxed Product Hip Width (301)

Relaxed Product Hip Width is the lateral distance from the laterally distal most point of the left side edge of the product at the upper edge of the left leg opening to the laterally distal most point of the right side edge of the product at the upper edge of the right leg opening. Refer to FIG. 8. The lateral distance is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the product.

Relaxed Product Waist Width (302)

Relaxed Product Waist Width is the lateral distance from the distal most point at the right side of the front waist edge to the distal most point at the left side of the front waist edge. The lateral distance is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the product. Refer to FIG. 8.

Relaxed Product Side Length (303)

Relaxed Product Side Length is the linear distance from the point of intersection between the waist edge and the side edge of the product to the point of intersection between the top of the leg opening and the same side edge of the product. The relaxed product side length measurement is the average of the measurements from the left and right sides of the product. Refer to FIG. 8. Each of the measurements above is recorded to within +/−1.0 mm 

What is claimed is:
 1. An array of packages comprising four or more different sizes of disposable absorbent articles, the array comprising: a first package comprising a first disposable absorbent article, the first absorbent article comprising a first topsheet, a first backsheet, a first absorbent core and a first pair of side seams, the first absorbent article being a first size and in a closed form; a second package comprising a second disposable absorbent article, the second absorbent article comprising a second topsheet, a second backsheet, a second absorbent core and a second pair of side seams, the second absorbent article being a second size and in a closed form; a third package comprising a third disposable absorbent article, the third absorbent article comprising a third topsheet, a third backsheet, a third absorbent core and a third pair of side seams, the third absorbent article being a third size and in a closed form; a fourth package comprising a fourth disposable absorbent article, the fourth absorbent article comprising a fourth topsheet, a fourth backsheet, a fourth absorbent core and a fourth pair of side seams, the fourth absorbent article being a fourth size and in a closed form; wherein the second size is larger than the first size, such that the second absorbent article has one or more of: (a) a larger Relaxed Product Length than the first absorbent article; (b) a larger Relaxed Product Hip Width than the first absorbent article; and (c) a larger Relaxed Product Waist Width than the first absorbent article; wherein the third size is larger than the second size, such that the third absorbent article has one or more of: (a) a larger Relaxed Product Length than the second absorbent article; (b) a larger Relaxed Product Hip Width than the second absorbent article; and (c) a larger Relaxed Product Waist Width than the second absorbent article; wherein the fourth size is larger than the third size, such that the fourth absorbent article has one or more of: (a) a larger Relaxed Product Length than the third absorbent article; (b) a larger Relaxed Product Hip Width than the third absorbent article; and (c) a larger Relaxed Product Waist Width than the third absorbent article; wherein the first absorbent article has a Relaxed Product Length of less than about 250 mm and a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of from about 0.9 and about 1.4; wherein the second absorbent article has a Relaxed Product Length of less than about 250 mm and a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette greater than the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of the first absorbent article; wherein the third absorbent article has a Relaxed Product Length of greater than about 250 mm and a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of from about 0.9 and about 1.4; wherein the fourth absorbent article has a Relaxed Product Length of greater than about 250 mm and a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette less than the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of the third absorbent article; and wherein the first package, second package, third package, and fourth package are in the same array.
 2. The array of packages according to claim 1, wherein the Product Length-to-Center Chassis Length Delta of at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth absorbent articles is greater than zero.
 3. The array of packages according to claim 2, wherein the Product Length-to-Center Chassis Length Delta of at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth absorbent articles is less than about 10 mm.
 4. The array of packages according to claim 1, wherein the Product Length-to-Center Chassis Length Ratio of at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth absorbent articles is greater than
 1. 5. The array of packages according to claim 1, wherein the Product Length-to-Center Chassis Length Ratio of at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth absorbent articles is from about 1.1 to 1.5.
 6. The array of packages according to claim 4, wherein the Product Length-to-Center Chassis Length Ratio of at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth absorbent articles is less than 1.1.
 7. An array of packages comprising three or more different sizes of disposable absorbent articles, the array comprising: a first package comprising a first disposable absorbent article, the first absorbent article comprising a first topsheet, a first backsheet, a first absorbent core and a first pair of side seams, the first absorbent article being a first size and in a closed form; a second package comprising a second disposable absorbent article, the second absorbent article comprising a second topsheet, a second backsheet, a second absorbent core and a second pair of side seams, the second absorbent article being a second size and in a closed form; a third package comprising a third disposable absorbent article, the third absorbent article comprising a third topsheet, a third backsheet, a third absorbent core and a third pair of side seams, the third absorbent article being a third size and in a closed form; wherein the second size is larger than the first size, such that the second absorbent article has one or more of: (a) a larger Relaxed Product Length than the first absorbent article; (b) a larger Relaxed Product Hip Width than the first absorbent article; and (c) a larger Relaxed Product Waist Width than the first absorbent article; wherein the third size is larger than the second size, such that the third absorbent article has one or more of: (a) a larger Relaxed Product Length than the second absorbent article; (b) a larger Relaxed Product Hip Width than the second absorbent article; and (c) a larger Relaxed Product Waist Width than the second absorbent article; wherein the first absorbent article has a Relaxed Product Length of less than about 250 mm and a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of from about 0.9 and about 1.6; wherein the second absorbent article has a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette greater than the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of the first absorbent article; wherein the third absorbent article has a Relaxed Product Length of greater than about 250 mm and a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette less than the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of the second absorbent article; wherein the Product Length-to-Center Chassis Length Delta of at least one of the first, second, and third absorbent articles is greater than zero; and wherein the first package, second package, and third package are in the same array.
 8. The array of packages according to claim 7, wherein the Product Length-to-Center Chassis Length Delta of at least one of the first, second, and third absorbent articles is less than about 10 mm.
 9. The array of packages according to claim 7, wherein the Product Length-to-Center Chassis Length Ratio of at least one of the first, second, and third absorbent articles is greater than
 1. 10. The array of packages according to claim 7, wherein each of the first, second, and third packages of absorbent articles are manufactured by or for the same company and wherein at least one of the first, second, and third packages of absorbent articles has a different brand name than the at least other two absorbent article packages.
 11. The array of packages according to claim 9, wherein the Product Length-to-Center Chassis Length Ratio of at least one of the first, second, and third absorbent articles is less than 1.1.
 12. An array of packages comprising three or more different sizes of disposable absorbent articles, the array comprising: a first package comprising a first disposable absorbent article, the first absorbent article comprising a first topsheet, a first backsheet, a first absorbent core; a second package comprising a second disposable absorbent article, the second absorbent article comprising a second topsheet, a second backsheet, a second absorbent core; a third package comprising a third disposable absorbent article, the third absorbent article comprising a third topsheet, a third backsheet, a third absorbent core; wherein the second absorbent article has a Relaxed Product Waist Width larger than the first absorbent article; wherein the third absorbent article has a Relaxed Product Waist Width larger than the second absorbent article; wherein the first, second, and third absorbent articles have at least substantially equal center chassis length; wherein the Relaxed Product Length of at least one of the first, second, and third absorbent articles is less than about 250 mm; wherein the Product Length-to-Center Chassis Length Delta of at least one of the first, second, and third absorbent articles is greater than zero; and wherein the Product Length-to-Center Chassis Length Ratio of at least one of the first, second, and third absorbent articles is greater than
 1. 13. The array of packages according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the first, second, and third absorbent articles has a Relaxed Product Hip Width of less than about 260 mm.
 14. The array of packages according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the first, second, and third absorbent articles has a Relaxed Product Waist Width of less than about 190 mm.
 15. The array of packages according to claim 12, wherein each of the first, second, and third packages of absorbent articles are manufactured by or for the same company and wherein at least one of the first, second, and third packages of absorbent articles has a different brand name than the at least other two absorbent article packages.
 16. The array of packages according to claim 15, wherein at least two of the first, second, and third packages of absorbent articles have the same brand name.
 17. The array of packages according to claim 16, wherein at least two of the first, second, and third packages of absorbent articles have the same sub-brand name.
 18. The array of packages according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the first, second, and third absorbent articles has a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of less than about 1.5.
 19. The array of packages according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the first, second, and third absorbent articles has a plurality of elastic strands extending laterally across the front and back waist regions and disposed proximate to and along the side seams.
 20. The array of packages according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the first, second, and third absorbent articles has an apertured film extending laterally across the front and back waist regions and disposed proximate to and along the side seams. 